Steel erection crew for builders

Builders, developers, main contractors and the occasional property owner or architect managing their own project.

Fixed price per job or day rate for the crew, often based on an engineer's drawings. Repeat work from a few reliable builders keeps the diary full.

• Reading structural drawings
• Safe working at height and with lifting equipment
• Bolting, levelling and aligning steelwork accurately
• Reliable, organised and good at quoting

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you take on anyone, so check cover for work at height and lifting
• Health and safety duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, including method statements and risk assessments
• Lifting operations rules (LOLER) and any training needed for cranes, hoists or telehandlers
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) registration and VAT rules for construction work, so check with HMRC or an accountant
• Poor temporary support or wrong installation can be dangerous and costly, so always work to the engineer's design

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on equipment, vehicles, safety gear and training. These are estimates, so check what lifting equipment and training your usual jobs require.

Check health and safety duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, including method statements and risk assessments. Also check lifting operations rules (LOLER), any training for cranes or hoists, and insurance cover for work at height and lifting.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. The estimate assumes at least 30 hours a week. Check Construction Industry Scheme and VAT rules with HMRC or an accountant.